Mark Sanchez: Rex Ryan's message "well received"

Dec. 5, 2012
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The New York Jets' Mark Sanchez, right, and Tim Tebow sit on the bench against the Seattle Seahawks in the first half of an NFL football game on Nov. 11 in Seattle. He was given his job back Wednesday ... for now. / Elaine Thompson, AP

by Mike Garafolo, USA TODAY Sports

by Mike Garafolo, USA TODAY Sports

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. â?? Rex Ryan insists he needed three days to gather all of the information to decide on Mark Sanchez as his starting quarterback.

Many knew better. Including Sanchez.

"I think he was more or less sending a message. And it's well received," the New York Jets quarterback told reporters Wednesday, hours after he was reaffirmed as the starter for Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. "I know. I've got it."

For three days, Sanchez was left to wonder if his days as the starter were over, guaranteed money this season and next be damned.

Truth is, Sanchez was probably never in danger of sitting this Sunday, even after Greg McElroy led a comeback victory over the Arizona Cardinals and even with Tim Tebow's ribs improving. But Ryan declared the situation to be "in the red right now," as in a warning sign Sanchez's three interceptions against Arizona and his overall inconsistent play this season won't be tolerated.

Ryan's three-day waiting period to publicly stand by Sanchez was the first step. The next one is to bench him for one of the other two quarterbacks in whom he expressed faith.

Over the next four weeks, Sanchez is playing for his job. Now and down the line.

"I think we're all playing for that," he said. "It's highlighted by the quarterback position. There's been a lot of emphasis and a lot of attention on this position here. But this kind of thing affects peoples lives and careers.

"It's not just, 'Oh man, bummer.' It's not like that. This is serious. Coaches, players, coordinators, everybody. I understand that."

Sanchez understands it even more after talking to former Jets backup quarterback Mark Brunell, who told him a story of when he was benched while a member of the Washington Redskins. Brunell said the home crowd was cheering for his backup â?? and that included his two young sons, who didn't know why the fans were reacting but joined in nonetheless.

The crowd at MetLife Stadium roared when McElroy entered the game. This Sunday, and potentially one week later, Sanchez will play in front of road crowds, which actually will be a welcome break for him.

"For the guys who have been here, they know that in the toughest circumstances, I've played my best," Sanchez said, referring to his performance down the stretch and in the postseason in 2009 and '10. "You never want it to come to this point, but we're here. At the same time, guys read things, guys listen to outside opinions at times. It's not like we're playing just for that but at the same time I don't' want to let them down because that's the worst feeling on Sunday.

"I'm disappointed in myself but I don't want to let the head coach down. (Offensive coordinator Tony) Sparano, he doesn't show up here at 4 in the morning and stay here and not see his family and do all of the stuff he does for me for me to go out and throw the ball to the other team. That's got to be disheartening. That's the part that really bothers me."

As does the perception he's beyond repair at this point. Asked pointedly if he's "broken," Sanchez replied, "Not at all."

Sanchez, Ryan and everybody else in the building are hoping Ryan's message will, in fact, fix him.

"It was definitely was the worst," Sanchez said. "But it could turn around and be one of the best things that's ever happened."